Extended Half Day Fishing In Eastern NC Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and speckled troutExpert local guides provide access to ten prime fishing locationsSpecial military and first responder discounts available with valid ID
Looking for a solid day on the water without breaking the bank? This 6-hour charter with Wicked East Charters puts you right in the heart of Eastern North Carolina's best inshore fishing grounds. We're talking about productive waters where redfish cruise the shallows, flounder stack up on structure, and speckled trout feed aggressively throughout the season. With 10 different launch points to choose from - including prime spots along the Tar/Pamlico River system - you'll be fishing where the locals go, not the crowded tourist spots everyone else hits.
This isn't your typical rushed half-day trip. Six hours gives you real time to work different areas and adjust tactics as conditions change. Your local captain knows these waters like the back of their hand - where the grass beds hold trout, which oyster bars are producing redfish, and what structure the flounder are relating to this time of year. The boat handles up to 3 anglers comfortably, so you're not elbow-to-elbow with a crowd. That means more individual attention, better positioning for everyone, and the flexibility to move spots when the bite slows down. Plus, if you're active military or first responder, bring that valid ID and save some cash while you're at it.
Eastern North Carolina inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. Early morning often means working the grass flats with soft plastics and topwater plugs for speckled trout that are actively feeding. As the day progresses, you'll likely shift to sight fishing redfish in skinny water or working deeper channel edges where stripers hang out. Flounder fishing here means bouncing jigs along drop-offs and around structure - these flatfish love to ambush bait in current breaks. Your captain will have live bait when it's called for, but don't be surprised if artificials are the go-to choice. The fish here see plenty of live shrimp and finger mullet, but a well-presented soft plastic or spoon can trigger strikes when nothing else will.
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of Eastern NC fishing, and for good reason. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes - we're talking doormat flounder pushing 5-6 pounds that'll give you a serious fight on light tackle. They're most active during warmer months when they move into the shallows to feed, typically from late spring through early fall. What makes them exciting isn't just their size, but their ambush style feeding. You'll watch your rod tip bounce as they mouth the bait, then feel that satisfying thump when they commit. The key is patience - flounder don't always eat aggressively, so working your bait slowly along the bottom pays off.
Striped Bass in these waters offer year-round action, but fall and winter are when things get really interesting. These fish can range from schoolie size up to genuine cow stripers over 30 inches. They're structure-oriented fish that love current, so you'll find them around channel markers, bridge pilings, and drop-offs where baitfish get pushed around. What's great about stripers is their aggressive nature - when they're feeding, they'll hit hard and fight harder. They're also excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Sheepshead might not win any beauty contests, but they're some of the craftiest fish you'll encounter. These black and white striped convict fish have human-like teeth and the ability to steal your bait without you feeling a thing. They're most active around structure - think dock pilings, jetties, and oyster bars where they pick off crabs and barnacles. Spring and early summer are prime time when they move shallow to spawn. The challenge isn't finding them, it's getting a good hookset before they spit your bait.
Sea Trout, specifically speckled trout, are what many consider the perfect inshore game fish. They're beautiful, fight well for their size, and taste fantastic. In Eastern NC waters, specks typically run 14-20 inches with plenty of slot fish mixed in. They're grass bed fish that love structure and moving water. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - a popping cork with live shrimp is deadly, but so is a well-worked soft plastic over grass beds at dawn.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here, and Eastern North Carolina has some of the most consistent red drum fishing on the East Coast. These copper-colored bruisers can range from puppy drum around 18-20 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches. Fall is prime time when schools of big reds move through the sounds, but quality fish are caught year-round. What makes redfish special is their power - they're built like underwater bulldozers and will test your drag system. Plus, they're incredibly versatile feeders that'll eat everything from cut bait to topwater plugs.
Six hours on Eastern North Carolina's top-rated inshore waters with a local captain who knows where the fish are - that's what separates a good fishing trip from a great one. Whether you're chasing your first redfish or looking to add a doormat flounder to your life list, these waters deliver consistently. The 3-person boat limit means you're getting a personalized experience, not a cattle boat situation. And with 10 different launch locations available, your captain can adjust based on weather, tides, and where the fish are biting that day. Don't sleep on that military and first responder discount either - just another reason to get on the books sooner rather than later.
Hit the productive waters of Eastern North Carolina aboard our reliable 22' Chawk, powered by a smooth 150 Suzuki that'll get you to the fishing grounds quickly and quietly. This 2020 fishing machine cuts through the water at speeds up to 40 knots, perfect for covering ground when chasing redfish and flounder in the Tar/Pamlico River system. The boat's equipped with everything serious anglers need - GPS to mark your hot spots, VHF radio for safety, and a quality fish finder to locate schools and structure where the fish hold. With room for up to 3 guests, there's plenty of space to work your lines without bumping elbows. The shallow draft design lets us slip into those backcountry creeks and grass flats where the big reds like to feed. Whether you're sight fishing or working the deeper channels, this boat handles the diverse inshore waters of eastern NC like a dream.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish of our shallow water game, with that distinctive copper-bronze color and black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 30+ inches that'll test your tackle. They love super shallow water - oyster bars, grass flats, creek mouths - often in just 1-3 feet where you can see their backs. Year-round fishing is solid here, but fall brings schools of big fish cruising the flats. What hooks people is watching them eat topwater baits in skinny water and that bulldogging fight they put up. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The secret is being quiet and making long casts with weedless spoons or soft plastics. When you spot tailing fish, lead them by several feet and work your bait slowly past their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, easily recognized by their silver sides covered in distinct black spots. They typically run 14-20 inches with 2-4 pounders being common catches. Look for them over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in deeper holes during temperature swings. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but they really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps when hooked. The delicate, flaky white meat is outstanding table fare too. These fish have soft mouths, so don't horse them in. My local trick is working the grass edges with soft plastics on 1/8 oz jig heads during moving water. Focus on areas where deeper water meets the flats - that's where they ambush shrimp and baitfish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and gray stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth built for crushing barnacles and crabs. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, perfect eating size. You'll find them hugging structure - dock pilings, bridge supports, oyster bars - anywhere there's something to pick at. Winter and early spring are prime time when they school up for spawning. They're notorious bait thieves with incredibly light bites, but that's part of the challenge that keeps anglers coming back. The meat is sweet and flaky, some of the best you'll taste. Here's the trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait tight to structure, and when you feel them pecking, resist the urge to set immediately. Let them take it.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud on shallow flats and channel edges. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches but can surprise you with doormat-sized specimens up to 25+ inches. They're ambush predators with both eyes on one side, waiting to strike passing baitfish, shrimp, or crabs. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they move into shallow water to feed before heading offshore to spawn. What makes them special is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites that require patience. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. My go-to tip: use a slow drift with live finger mullet on a Carolina rig, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook firmly.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the workhorses of our coastal waters, with those distinctive dark stripes running down silver sides. Most fish we catch run 20-30 inches, but don't be surprised when a 40+ inch cow shows up. They love structure - bridge pilings, oyster bars, channel edges - anywhere current pushes baitfish around. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when they're actively feeding on menhaden and mullet. What guests love most is the fight - these fish pull hard and make long runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat. The key here in Eastern NC is watching for bird activity over bait schools. When you see diving pelicans or terns working, get your lures in there fast. Live bait works great, but don't overlook topwater plugs at dawn and dusk.
North Carolina